Short Biography

I am a Lecturer at Makerere University in the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, College of Natural Sciences. I am responsible for teaching applied geophysics to geologists and Earth scientists, especially in the following geophysical techniques (gravity, magnetics, resistivity, induced polarization, electromagnetic, radiometric) and some borehole geophysics. I also conduct practicals in the field and in the laboratory in the use of geophysical techniques and their applications. I have inputs to geological field mapping exercises and geohazard modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I participated in the NORAD-funded project in collaboration with the Department of Earth Science at the University of Bergen (UiB) during the establishment of a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Geosciences at Makerere University with funding from the EnePe programme in Norway. I also participated in the Capacity Building in Sustainability and Environmental Management (CapSEM) project in collaboration with institutions from Europe, Asia and Africa during the period 2016 – 2019. At the moment, I am now participating in a European-funded project called “Strengthening Capacity for ICT Usage and Policy Reforms for Relevant & Quality Masters Research Process Management in Uganda’s Higher Education Institutions (ICT-4MRPQ),” Project No. 101083105, as a coordinator for Makerere University. I acted as a Chair of the editorial committee of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) for the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’23). I am currently the coordinator of the DRIAR project researching on neotectonism and faulting in the Albertine Graben, Western Uganda, in association with universities from the USA, including Virginia Tech, University of California, Davis, Midwestern University, Northwestern University, University of Arkansas, and WHOI. In addition, I am also the Coordinator of the Exchange Programme between the University of Turin (UniTo), Department of Earth Sciences and Makerere University, Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies funded under the Erasmus KA 171 European Funding.

Education Background

PhD, Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany, Geophysics, 2009
MSc, University of Twente, ITC, the Netherlands, Geophysics, 2002
BSc, Makerere University, Uganda, Geology & Chemistry, 1997

Publications

Correlation of geoelectric data with aquifer parameters to delineate the groundwater potential of hard rock terrain in Central Uganda
AG Batte, E Barifaijo, JM Kiberu, W Kawule… – Pure and applied geophysics, 2010

Rock physics analysis of reservoir units of the Semliki basin, Albertine graben: A case study
J Nakajigo, JM Kiberu, TA Johansen, EH Jensen… – Journal of African Earth Sciences, 2023

Active Fault Database for the North-western Branch of the East African Rift System (EARS)
H Mwongyera, M Taylor, DD Mongovin, A Katumwehe… – Geological Society of America Abstracts, 2024

Interferometry of Ambient Seismic Noise Recorded by DRIAR Stations in the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System, Uganda
A Kabanda, B Alonzo, S van der Lee, DS Stamps… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2023

Stochastic seismic inversion of seismic data from the Turaco field, Semliki Basin, SW Uganda
J Sserunjogi, JM Kiberu – SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2016, 2016

Prediction of reservoir properties using inverse rock physics modelling in the Kanywataba Exploration Area, Albertine Graben
J Nakajigo, TA Johansen, JM Kiberu, EH Jensen… – Petroleum Geoscience, 2024

Coupling of Displacement and Basement Damage Distribution Across a Border Fault Relay Zone, Toro-Bunyoro Fault, Albertine Rift
P Boston, F Kolawole, AB Katumwehe, JM Kiberu… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2022

Predication of Seismic time-lapse (4D) Effects of the Reservoir based on Petrophysical and 3D Seismic Data in the Turaco Prospect, Semliki Basin, Western Uganda
R Kiconco, JM Kiberu, BN Nagudi – 79th EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2017, 2017

Combining Rock Physics Templates with Seismic Inversion to Characterize the Hydrocarbon Reservoir beneath the Kanywataba Prospect, Semliki Basin
JJ Pidho, JM Kiberu, D Okello, AO Ayaa – 2016

Prediction of Seismic Time-Lapse (4-D) Effects of the Reservoir Based on Petrophysical and 3D Seismic Data in the Turaco Prospect, Semliki Basin, Western Uganda
JM Kiberu, R Kiconco – 2018 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition

Investigating Melt Generation Beneath the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System Using 3D Geodynamic Modelling with ASPECT
A Kwagalakwe, DS Stamps, EA Njinju, EA Atekwana… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2022

Hydrogeochemistry and Geothermometry of the Hot Springs Along the Magma-poor Western Branch of the East African Rift System
J Foluso, E Atekwana, F Kolawole, EA Atekwana… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2022

Determination of Reservoir Properties of the Semliki Basin Using Rock Physics Templates
J Nakajigo, JM Kiberu – Fifth EAGE Eastern Africa Petroleum Geoscience …, 2021

The Role of Pre-Existing Structures in the Initiation of the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System
A. Kwagalakwe, DS Stamps, J Naliboff, M Taylor… – Geological Society of America Abstracts, 2024

Crustal Structure Around the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System from Receiver Function Analysis
A Kabanda, S van der Lee, DS Stamps, EA Atekwana… – AGU24

Latest Advances of the DRIAR Project: Dry-Rifting In the Albertine-Rhino Graben, Uganda
DS Stamps, EA Atekwana, EA Atekwana… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2023

Scientific Highlights of the DRIAR Project: Dry-Rifting In the Albertine-Rhino Graben, Uganda
DS Stamps, EA Atekwana, S van der Lee, RL Evans… – AGU24

The Role of Pre-Existing Structures in the Initiation of the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System.
A Kwagalakwe, DS Stamps, JB Naliboff, MH Taylor… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2023

Magnitude and Rate of Rift Flank Uplift Along the Nkusi River, Albertine Rift, Uganda
H Mwongyera, MH Taylor, D Mongovin, EA Atekwana… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2023

Advances of the DRIAR Project: Dry-Rifting In the Albertine-Rhino Graben, Uganda
DS Stamps, EA Atekwana, S van der Lee, RL Evans… – AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2022

Projects /Grants

• Deputy Coordinator, EnePe project funded by the Norwegian Government to establish the Master of Science Programme (MPG) in Petroleum Geosciences in the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, Makerere University (2012 -2016)
 Capacity building in Sustainability and Environmental Management (CAPSEM) EU Erasmus funded project (September 2016 – September 2019)
• Coordinator, Dry Rifting in the Albertine- Rhino Graben (DRIAR) project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), USA, representing Makerere University in the consortium (2016 – Present).
• Coordinator, ICT-4MPRQ project funded by the European Union to strengthen capacity for ICT usage and policy reforms for relevant and quality masters research process management in Higher Education Institutions in Uganda (2023 – 2026).
• Coordinator, International Mobility – Erasmus+ 2024 – KA 171 International Exchange of students between the University of Turin (UniTo – Italy) Department of Earth Sciences and Makerere University, CoNAS, Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies funded by the EU (2025 – 2027),

Mentorship / Supervision

Supervised Master Students:

1. MWONGYERA H. 2014: Amplitude versus Offset (AVO) modeling as a tool for seismic reservoir characterization of the Semlik Basin.
2. TWEBAZE C. 2014: Determining Reservoir distribution in the Turaco Prospect using 3D Seismic attributes.
3. NAKAJIGO J.2014: Determination of Reservoir properties of the Semliki basin using well to seismic upscaling methods and rock physics templates
4. NANGENDO J. 2014: Quantitative evaluation of 3D Seismic Data to determine Reservoir Properties of the Turaco Prospect in Semliki Basin.
5. LULIKA P. 2015: Determination of Petrophysical properties of the Turaco prospect in Semliki Basin in Western Uganda using 3D seismic inversion and Rock Physics templates

6. PIDHO J. 2015: Combining Rock Physics Templates with Seismic inversion to characterize the hydrocarbon potential beneath the Kanywataba Prospect, Semliki Basin
7. SSERUNJOGI J. 2015: Reservoir characterization using Stochastic Inversion of 3D Seismic Data in the Turaco prospect, Western Uganda
8. MUKIIBI I.2015: Establishment of Reservoir Compartmentalization using integrated seismic attributes and petrophysical data in Turaco prospect, Semliki Basin
9. WERAGIRE M. 2015: Integrated reservoir modeling of the Turaco prospect of the Semliki basin, Western Uganda
10. KICONCO R. 2016: Prediction of Time lapse effects of the reservoir based on petrophysical and 3D seismic data in Turaco prospect, Semliki Basin, Western Uganda
11. KIVUMBI D. 2016: Establishing a potential carbon dioxide sequestration site using 3D seismic attributes and well log data around Turaco prospect, Semliki basin, Western Uganda
12. MUSHABE G.2016: Identification of incised valleys as potential hydrocarbon reservoirs using 3D seismic attributes, Semliki Basin, Western Uganda
13. NYAKETCHO D. 2016: Characterization of thin beds of the Kisegi formation in the Semliki basin, Western Uganda, using well log data
14. DEKORI C. 2018: Reservoir characterization and modelling of Fractured Basement hydrocarbon in Ruman Field, Melut Basin, South Sudan
15. KIZZA J. 2019: Seismic reservoir characterization of the Semliki basin using coloured inversion constrained with well log data.
16. NAFULA M. 2019: Effect of basin evolutionary factors on the reservoir quality of Semliki basin.
17. OPI BALLI P. 2019: Geomechanical characterization of Yabus formation, Palouch formation, Palouch oil field, Melut basin, South Sudan.
18. TUMUSIIME H. 2019; Reservoir characterization of the Kisegi formation using rock physics diagnostics.
19. YOBU J. M. (2019); Delineation of Petroleum plays in the Semliki basin from a trap ATWEBEMBEIRE Conscent: Sediment thickness and its influence on the Hydrocarbon potential
20. OMALA Raymond: Oil production optimization of the Norne Field E-segment, Norway using Eclipse 100 simulation model

21. MALITH Ruop Mangong: Characterization of the hydrocarbon reservoir potential of the Yabus Fm in Melut basin, S sudan using RPT and inversion of 3D seismic data

22. MAWA Samuel Micheal Paul: Subsurface facies analysis of the Paleogene and upper Cretaceous Fm Nahel oil field, Melut basin S Sudan

23. MBENYI Derick: Interpretation of structural domains beneath L. George- Edward basin from seismic data, South Uganda

24. NUMFOR Ayoonwi Ngwa: Fault Seal Analysis of the Lake Edward Basin South Western Uganda.’

25. KABUYE Aoron Ttendo: Integrated: 3D facies modelling of the Makondo fault zone, Semliki basin, Western Uganda

26. IRANZI Elvis: Reserve Estimation of the Serpentine Deposit in Inner Mongolia, China using 3D Modeling: A Geostatistical Approach.
27. KWIZERA Adronis: Identifying geological and geomorphological factors leading to landside susceptibility in the Nyabage watershed, Kabezi commune, Burundi
28. NKESHIMANA Ernest: Environmental effects of gold mining in Burundi; a case study of Buthinda commune, Muyingo province.
29. NSHIMIRIMANA Benjamin: Characterization of Quartzite rocks Congo – Nile Ridge in Mugongo-Ryarusera Area, North West Burundi
30. NTIBAZONKIZA Thaddee: Mineral exploration of Nickel deposits in the Musongati Area using satellite imagery
31. Busingye Ambrose – 3D Numerical Modelling of Groundwater Resources in Tilenga Area, Mid-Western Region.
32. Kennedy Alpha – Delineation of Petroleum Plays of Lamu Basin, Southeast Kenya.
33. Ashoka Timothy – Prediction of reservoir permeability using petrophysical rock typing and machine learning approach in Uncored Turaco Wells, Albertne Graben, Uganda.
34. Mbonye Isaac – Seismic Hazard Assessment and Structural Vulnerability Analysis of Bunyangabu District, Western Uganda.
35. Iranzi Elvis – 3D Modelling and Estimation of Reserves of the Jiujimgzi Serpentine Deposit Using Surpac: A Geostatistical Approach.
36. Labalu Emmanuel Paulino – Integration of Facies Analysis with Sequence Stratigraphy within the Yabus Formation Subsequences, Melut Basin, South Sudan.
37. Phillip Chol Aketch- Reservoir Characterization of the Great Palouch Oil Field, South Sudan, Using Rock Physics Diagnostics.

SUPERVISED PhD STUDENT

1. Dr. Joan Nakajigo: Quantitative reservoir characterization using rock physics, seismic and geological constraints – Examples from Semliki Basin in Albertine Graben

For a detailed CV please click here